27 Hardest Songs To Sing For Men

Looking for a challenge? Well this list compiles the hardest songs to sing for men!

Give some a go, and try not to strain your voice. 🙂

1. “I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith

Song Year: 1998

Aerosmith kicks off this list with an all-too-familiar rock power ballad from the 90s.

The song highlighted the soundtrack to the film Armageddon, and it is particularly difficult to sing well. The song features various shifts from gentle notes to all-out screaming.

Anyone who has attempted to sing this song knows it's a crowd-pleaser but hard to pull off.

2. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

Song Year: 2014

In 2014, Ed Sheeran graced the world with one of the most in-demand wedding songs in history.

The lyrics speak of a love that proves to be timeless. However, the vocal strength required for these words makes this song so impressive for anyone who can do it justice.

The singer must deliver the notes powerfully yet soft and heartfelt at the same time.

3. “Iris” by The Goo Goo Dolls

Song Year: 1998

In the late 1990s, The Goo Goo Dolls were famous for producing love songs to make everyone swoon. This love song was one of them, creating a challenge for anyone who sings it.

The song begins with soft, low notes and quickly crescendos into loud, powerful beats that carry through the end. The only reprieve is the sixty-second instrumental break in the middle!

4. “I'll Be” by Edwin McCain

Song Year: 1997

Kids who went to high school in the late 1990s will remember every school dance upon hearing the opening notes to this classic love song.

Those who have attempted to perform it know that the various belts of the song make it one of the more difficult love songs to perform. But, if you're capable, get ready to belt those notes and impress the crowds.

5. “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley

Song Year: 2006

This irresistibly catchy song features an infectious beat and impressive high notes. Gnarls Barkley presents one of the most easily recognized songs from the 2000s.

The song, however, is hard to sing well. Most men experience difficulty hitting the numerous high notes with accuracy.

Along with this, Barkley brings a uniquely raspy voice to his belts, which is equally hard to reproduce.

6. “Never Too Much” by Luther Vandross

Song Year: 1981

There's something about a seductive love song performed by an artist who belts the notes without raising their voice.

Luther Vandross mastered the art of delivering the controlled, soft belt in this irresistibly fun song from the 80s. It is this belt and frequent shifts in the key that make performing this song so hard to do.

7. “Dream On” by Aerosmith

Song Year: 1973

We could make this list feature only Aerosmith songs if we wanted to!

Steven Tyler is, perhaps, one of the more gifted vocalists of rock music. This song is a testament to that title.

The tricky shifts between calm, heartfelt notes and powerhouse rock scream set the stage for an iconic and difficult-to-perform rock and roll hit.

8. “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars

Song Year: 2012

Bruno Mars delivers one of his famous piano love ballads.

Though the piano accompaniment is soft and heartfelt, the vocal range required for this song is lengthy. Mars begins the song with gentle notes of regret, which climaxes into belting out the pure agony of defeat.

Performers of this song must work hard to convey all the emotions Mars intended for this ballad.

9. “Scream” by Usher

Song Year: 2012

Just like the title says, get ready to scream.

Usher has one of those tantalizing voices that lures in every listener. However, to successfully recreate this, the person performing it must understand how to control their vocals effectively.

The verses feature relatively calm notes, which instantly jump into the screaming of the chorus.

This song is hard but always fun!

10. “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers

Song Year: 1965

Not many songs stand the test of time like “Unchained Melody” has done. It isn't common to find someone who has never heard the song at least once.

The only thing more difficult to find is someone who can successfully perform the song live. The amount of vocal control and restraint performers must show in spots of this song is impressive.

11. “Back at One” by Brian McKnight

Song Year: 1999

Brain McKnight brings us a memorable love ballad from the 90s that features difficulty for different reasons.

The lyrics of this song feature a countdown of all the reasons to love each other. Along with getting caught in emotions, the singers of this song need to keep their vocal notes breathy and controlled to convey the underlying message.

Delivery matters, and with this song, control is crucial!

12. “I Want to Know What Love Is” by Foreigner

Song Year: 1984

This power ballad from the 1980s features some of the most well-known song lyrics in history. Numerous artists have covered this song over the years, but the original by Foreigner is still the best.

The song's frequent shifts from calm and collected to belting and powerful are difficult for even the most experienced singers. This one isn't for the faint of voice.

13. “Centuries” by Fall Out Boy

Song Year: 2014

Right from the start of this punk rock anthem, Fall Out Boy begins with a loud, powerful note that holds strong. Listeners will frequently find high notes in this iconic song, making it one of the hardest male songs to sing.

The vocal lead features his unique ability to belt, come back down, and belt again. Unfortunately, this combination is tough to recreate.

14. “Apologize” by OneRepublic

Song Year: 2007

Easily one of the more recognizable ballads of the 2000s, OneRepublic introduced their audiences to “soft belting” in this powerful anthem.

Though the artist does, indeed, belt several notes, they are done so in a soft, controlled manner. This control is incredibly difficult to accomplish for most vocalists. Though it's easy to create a sing-along with this song, leading it properly is another story.

15. “Livin' on a Prayer” by Bon Jovi

Song Year: 1986

Bon Jovi introduced the world to one of the greatest live rock and roll songs with this hit.

The song spends most of its time belting and holding loud, high-pitched notes. Like most classic rock and roll hits, there is an element of screaming to be heard. Add all this together, and you have a recipe for a very hard song to sing.

16. “Sweet Child O' Mine” by Guns N' Roses

Song Year: 1988

Another 1980s rock and roll hit graces the list of the hardest male songs to sing.

Guns N' Roses nails it with this difficult track, hitting every high note followed by quick key shifts. While the band may have hit their notes, most attempts to recreate their performance are difficult to do successfully.

Karaoke lovers still give it their best shot, much to a crowd's delight.

17. “Believer” by Imagine Dragons

Song Year: 2017

From the opening beat of the drum to this song, you know you're in for a wild ride.

Though the song's verses are in relatively easy keys, the chorus brings a high-pitched array of notes. This shift makes for a difficult transition for most singers to pull off effectively.

Those who successfully perform this song will probably find their throats sore afterward.

18. “Bad” by Michael Jackson

Song Year: 1987

The slick beat of this song may make the singer feel like they're in control, but they may soon find that isn't the case!

It all depends on their ability to shift quickly from hooting to singing notes on key. This instant hit from the King of Pop showcases his vocal talents. Not everyone shares those talents, and most who attempt it may struggle to pull off this song.

19. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John

Song Year: 1994

For this love ballad, Elton John lent his legendary vocal skills to the 1990s Disney film, The Lion King. Though this song has the power to swoon listeners for decades, it all depends on the talents of those with the microphone.

Love ballads are difficult to do well, given their dedication to holding notes for long periods. This song is no exception.

20. “When a Man Loves a Woman” by Michael Bolton

Song Year: 1991

Michael Bolton breaks down how love works in this 90s power ballad. He also presents one of the hardest male songs to sing due mainly to the excessive amounts of belting required.

The notes a singer needs to hit are high, and most men can't successfully pull it off the way Michael Bolton can. The song also requires the singer to hold those notes for a long time.

21. “Kiss From a Rose” by Seal

Song Year: 1994

Seal had a unique talent in the 1990s for bringing music lovers songs that featured relaxed yet somehow powerful vocals blended. This blend makes this hit one of the many hard songs to sing for men.

The vocal control required to sing in a quiet tone is tough and even more challenging, followed by impressive high notes.

22. “Best of You” by Foo Fighters

Song Year: 2005

Most songs on this list have a knack for starting simple, then gradually progressing into further difficulty. This song deviates from that, as it begins with instantly strong rock and roll vocals.

Those vocals continue throughout the song. Most people's voices will get extremely tired very quickly. This factor is what makes this song a perfect addition to this list!

23. “Whataya Want From Me” by Adam Lambert

Song Year: 2009

Upon giving this song an attempt at singing, it's safe to say that Adam Lambert deserved the title he could have earned on a reality show.

Lambert's impressive ability to go from soothing calm notes to emotionally-charged high notes makes this song incredibly difficult to recreate. Those who have tried probably needed a break at some point due to excessive amounts of scream-singing.

24. “How Am I Supposed to Live Without You” by Michael Bolton

Song Year: 1983

Michael Bolton strikes again with his impressively powerful vocals. His plea to his former lover to remember him strikes the heartstrings of all those who listen.

The lyrics and accompanying notes present a difficult challenge to any singer daring an attempt to cover them. Any performer must hold the high notes for a lengthy duration, and most can't pull it off in the way Bolton can.

25. “Sugar, We're Goin Down” by Fall Out Boy

Song Year: 2005

Fall Out Boy returns to the list with another crowd-pleaser that's equally hard to sing.

Most people struggle to determine the meaning behind the lyrics. That struggle gets cloudy when singers discover how difficult the song can be to sing. The song's hook features a quick shift between high and low keys that people love to chant but often fail to achieve adequately.

26. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen

Song Year: 1975

One of the most iconic songs of all time finds its way on this list of hard songs to sing for men. Queen's most famous song features multiple styles of music, singing, and octave/key shifts.

Singers who do not understand or are unfamiliar with controlling their vocals will struggle. The song may be iconic but it doesn't detract from its difficulty.

27. “Don't Stop Believin'” by Journey

Song Year: 1981

The final entry on our list is undoubtedly the most easily-recognized song in music history. It is also one of the most commonly-used songs at karaoke nights, which is where people discover how difficult it is to sing.

The beloved high notes of the song are difficult for most singers to land effectively. This song features many of those lengthy belts, which may cause vocalists to tire out.

Hardest Songs To Sing For Men, Final Thoughts

Though these songs may be the hardest songs to sing for men, they are always fun to attempt! Crowds love them, and they have stood the test of time. If you find yourself struggling to perform these titles, stick with it! Practice makes perfect, and if you love the song, you'll find a way.